Dicey

We were on the Oasis two weeks ago.  The quality and strength of the drinks varied depending on where we ordered it from.  The one's from the casino bar were the worst.

Yes.  Each test has its own QR code and the person taking the test logs in their account and scans the test they’re using.  It doesn’t matter whose name is on the order.  

Doable if you're catching a Sunday departure.  LGA and NY traffic is pretty light Sunday mornings.  Any other day you should avoid.  You'll most likely end up spending more time and money.  Just fly in EWR and save yourself the headache.  

Recently back from B2B on Oasis.  We were told about 2,600 passengers on first leg and 2,800 on second, crew was about 70%.   

Embark and disembark was good. 

Crew was great. 

The food was not as good before, especially in the specialty restaurants.  We ate at Chops, 150 and Izumi.  The quality of the food was no different than the Coastal Kitchen.  The filet from Chops and fried pork belly from 150 were pretty much identical to ones at Costal Kitchen.  Portside BBQ was the most disappointing.  Everything was extremely salty.  

Getting on and off at the ports was a breeze.  We never saw a line at the gangway.  

Cococay was great.  No crowds.  Plenty of available beach recliners and no lines at the buffet.  

A couple of sea days were rougher than they had to be and the ship was occasionally uncomfortably warm.  Probably reduced use of stabilizers and cooling to cut down energy consumption.  

Overall a good experience and a good start to sailing again.  Will be on the Anthem next month and expect there will be improvements as capacity continues to increase.  

Hopefully they'll have suite check in again when it gets busier.

4 hours ago, Rob922 said:

I took the Emed at home proctored test yesterday (October 1st) and received my negative test results.  I checked the QR code on the website this morning a little more than 24 hours later and above the QR code in bold it says 2 days since negative result.  I am assuming tomorrow when I arrive at the cruise port it will say "3 days since negative test results"  Will this create a problem at the cruise terminal tomorrow?  I was told by several RCI customer service reps over the phone I could take this test at any point on Friday and I will be good.  Has anyone on her experience the same issue?

Thanks 

Same - I saved a copy of the eMed results on my phone and plan to use that instead of the NAVICA app to avoid confusion.  

On 9/30/2021 at 4:33 PM, Big Red said:

Don't know if this pertains to anyone particular.  Cruising out on Allure in a couple of weeks, and always looked forward to seeing what "high end" watches they have available in the Regalia shop on board, and at ports of call. Has anyone that is into watches seen if they still have old stock available or if they are up to date there stock of modern time-pieces on board since the relaunch into causing?  

Specifically Watch brands I am looking to see are Tag, Rolex, Omega, etc.  Not interested in Invicta, Fossil, or other watches offered at the sidewalk sale typically.  

We've bought watches on the Allure a couple of years ago and got a great deal.  not sure what you mean by "old stock" and "modern time-pieces" but watches they carry are still sold at many authorized dealers and websites.  But its possible that the production on those models have ended and for example, you wouldn't find in a tag showroom.  Not very important to me so never looked into it.  the manufacturers warranties are the same as if you bought it at any authorized dealer. 

if i remember correctly they only carry pre-owned rolex and omegas. 

8 hours ago, karmamule said:

Royal isn't the only one. We play lots of slots on cruises and after a couple cruises on MSC they've sent us several free cruise offers, including one for an 11 day cruises in an Oceanview room on the Meraviglia. The only hitch is they're in October and November and there's no way we can do that on top of our Allure cruise on Oct 10 and our upcoming MSC cruise in January on the Seashore. I'm happy to have two cruises to look forward to but wow not being able to take advantage of a free 11 day cruise on a ship we love was such an opportunity lost. I can't wait to retire. 

yea - we've seen offers from Princess and NCL but ones from RCL are most appealing.  

We’ve been receiving a lot offers this year as well.  Probably hoping to get more gambling revenue to make up for losses.  I’m pretty sure they’re not profiting from these early post no sail sailings at the reduced capacity and lower cruise fares.

For housekeeping, concierge, regular waiters, after each sailing or at the end of my B2B?  

3 hours ago, BrianB said:

I just received my back to back letter last night (night 4 of 7) explaining what I need to do on turnaround day, Sept 26. There was a QR code that I scanned and it opened a page where I entered my information and chose a time for the rapid test to be given on the day before, Sept 25, in the Conference Center on deck 3. All of the times were available and I chose 8:10-8:20am. Test results will be sent to my email. We have to meet at the theater on turnaround day at 8:15 for our wellness check. Once that is completed, we will be checked in and our new seaPass card will be issued along with the In-transit card. We are to bring our passports, vaccination card and the credit card we plan to use. 
I’m staying in the same room so I don’t need to pack up. My room will receive priority service. 
We have to leave the ship and go through customs. We will be escorted off and pass by the facial recognition scanners and then be escorted right back on. If we choose to venture out in Bayonne, we can use the In-transit card to bypass check-in, but cannot re-board until general boarding commences. I have no intention of leaving the ship. 
Consecutive Cruisers will be offered lunch in the MDR on deck 3 (V) from noon to 1pm.

**On another note…it was addressed in another post but, any liquor purchased during the current cruise will be held until the end of our time on board.

 

Thanks!  Our B2B on Oasis is coming up.  Now we know what to expect.  This is very helpful.  

We pack a couple of sweatshirts and jeans.  But everyone's different.  There are also people out in t-shirts and shorts.  Fall in NYC is usually clear and in the 50s-60s, chillier by and on the waters.  So you can expect that climate and pack as you see fit.  

I'm scheduled for rapid antigen at CVS 2 days before boarding and getting a little nervous after reading this.  If CVS doesn't come through and we are not able get tested and results back in time from elsewhere, what happens then?  Will RCL provide testing at the terminal?

Does re-pricing and best price guarantee program apply to the upgrade prices on casino bookings?  

Worth it IMO.  Small price for huge upgrades, room size and amenities.  

8 hours ago, dswallow said:

Just go in and buy it on the last day of the segment; they'll just hand it over. If you buy it before then they'll hold it and deliver, and there's always a chance they'll notice you're on a B2B and will hold it till the last day of your final segment, which is what the policy says they will do, even iif in practice it just goes to your cabin on the last day of the current segment most of the time.

 

 

Makes sense.  Thanks for the tip.  

If I buy alcohol at duty free on the first leg of a B2B will I get it on the last night of the first leg and have it for the second leg of the cruise?

I had a the same room booked for my B2B sailings on the Oasis on 10/3 and 10/10.  When I checked the CP today I noticed the room on the second leg was changed.  I called the Casino Royale, the trips were booked through them, and they said the room was double booked and according to the timestamp someone else was already in the process of booking before the agent assigned it to me.  Anyone else have this happen and any advice on how to get RCL to make this right?  The agent I spoke with said she can't do anything but I know they're not very consistent on what they can or cannot do.  Thanks in advance.  

Two - Oasis 10/3 and 10/10 B2B

In the same situation as op and thinking about calling RCL but not sure what I can say to expedite refund.  Any thoughts?

Hi All - new to the board.  I had the same issue and found this site while searching for answers.  Thought I’d share my experience to help fellow cruisers with similar issue and looking for answers.  We had a comped junior suite that we upgraded to the star class grand panoramic on an oasis may 2021 sailing.  When I booked the casino royale rep assured me the the upgrade cost was 100% refundable as long it is cancelled before the final payment date, 90 days prior to sailing.  The taxes and port fees do not go to RCL and are 100% refundable regardless when you cancel.  The rep informed me that bookings through casino royale are subject to their own terms and the nrd policies do not apply.  Today we found out that the we will not be able to cruise in may 2021 and had to cancel our reservation.  Called casino royale and the rep cancelled and confirmed it was a 100% refundable booking.  Refund for the full amount will be credited back my card but the bad news is they are currently experiencing heavy volumes of cancellations and the credit may take up to 45 days to be reflected.